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July 15, 2025NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, MAY 2025 Year-to-date (January-May 2025 vs January-May 2024, unadjusted)
Compared with January-May 2024, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles (+19.3%) reported a faster gain than the national average, with national unit sales up 4.7%. Sales were up in all provinces except Québec. Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador had the strongest gains in year-to-date unit sales.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 22.1% in Nova Scotia from January-May 2024 to January-May 2025. This was the second fastest gain reported among provinces behind Newfoundland and Labrador. National sales values were up 5.8% with gains in all provinces except Québec.
Compared to January-May 2024, average unit prices were up 2.3% in Nova Scotia in January-May 2025, tied with Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador as the fastest gains among provinces. Average unit prices were up 1.1% nationally with increases in six provinces. Saskatchewan had the largest decline in average unit prices.
The average price of a new vehicle over January-May 2025 was $50,754 in Nova Scotia - third lowest among provinces ahead of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Nationally, the average price of a new vehicle was $55,831 in January-May with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with January-May 2024, unit sales were up for Trucks/SUVs, and down for passenger cars. North American manufacturers saw faster increases in unit sales and sales values compared to overseas manufactures. Average sales prices were up for all vehicle types.
Starting with the January 2024 reference month, new data has been released on vehicle sales by fuel type. Zero emission vehicle unit sales were down 10.2% in January-May 2025 compared with January-May 2024, while sales values increased 28.2% owing to a 42.7% rise in average unit prices. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales increase 21.1% while sales values increased 21.6%, with average unit price for other fuel type vehicles up 0.4%.
In January-May 2025, trucks/SUVs accounted for 87.0% of unit sales and 90.2% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 71.4% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 74.6% of sales values in January-May 2025. Zero emission vehicles made up 4.3% of unit sales, and 7.4% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 95.7% of unit sales and 92.6% of sales values.
Year-over-year (May 2025 vs May 2024, unadjusted)
Compared with May 2024, Nova Scotia unit sales of new vehicles (+28.9%) reported a faster gain than any other province. National unit sales were up 5.0% year-over-year with gains in all provinces. Québec had the slowest growth compared to May 2024.
The sales values of new vehicles increased 23.9% in Nova Scotia from May 2024 to May 2025, the largest gain among provinces. National sales values were up 2.0% with gains in all provinces except Québec.
Compared to May 2024, average unit prices were down 3.8% in Nova Scotia in May 2025. Average unit prices were down 2.9% nationally with declines in eight provinces. Prince Edward Island and Manitoba reported the only gains. Québec had the steepest year-over-year decline in average motor vehicle prices.
The average price of a new vehicle in May 2025 was $50,644 in Nova Scotia - third lowest among provinces ahead of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. Nationally, the average price of a new vehicle was $54,842 in May with the highest value in Alberta.
Compared with May 2024, unit sales and sales values were up for all vehicle categories, led by trucks/SUVs and North American-manufactured vehicles. Average sales prices were down for trucks/SUVs and North American manufactured vehicles, but up for passenger cars and overseas manufacturers' vehicles.
Zero emission vehicle unit sales were down 18.2% in May 2025 compared with May 2024, while sales values declined 13.8% and average unit prices increased 5.5%. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (224 in May 2025) can lead to volatility in unit sales, sales values, and prices. Other fuel type vehicles, which account for the majority of vehicles sold, saw unit sales increase 31.6% while sales values increased 26.6%, and the average unit price for other fuel type vehicles decreased 3.8%.
In May 2025, trucks/SUVs accounted for 86.7% of unit sales and 89.5% of sales values. North American manufacturers accounted for 73.9% of Nova Scotia's unit sales and 76.9% of sales values in May 2025. Zero emission vehicles made up 3.5% of unit sales, and 4.5% of sales values, while all other fuel types accounted for 96.5% of unit sales and 95.5% of sales values.
Trends
Nova Scotia's unit sales of 6,390 in May 2025 were stronger than those reported in the same month of any year since 2018.
Increased unit sales and higher average prices have resulted in May 2025 motor vehicle sales values well above comparable months in previous years.
Nova Scotia average unit prices have declined in the last year.
Zero-emission vehicles are currently a small share of the new motor vehicle market in Nova Scotia. Due to the small number of vehicles sold, there can be volatility in the year-over-year or year-to-date comparisons for unit sales, sales value and average prices. Nova Scotia zero-emission vehicle unit sales and sales values were down compared to May 2024.
Across Canada, national unit sales are above any comparable month since 2019, but below levels observed from 2015-2019.
National sales values for May 2025 were above values in comparable months in recent history.
National average unit sales prices have returned to levels seen in early 2024. May 2025 average unit prices were down from May 2024.
There has been a steady trend of increasing market share for trucks/SUVs while the market share of passenger cars declines. This trend has become less volatile in recent months.
Over the last twenty years, there has been a slow decline in market share for North American manufacturers while overseas manufacturers' market share rises. In recent years, market shares for North American and overseas manufactures have stabilized.
The market share for new zero-emission vehicles has been declining this year since peaking in December of 2024.
Prices for trucks/SUVs (the bulk of the market) as well as passenger cars have fallen from their recent peak at the end of 2024.
Prices for vehicles from North American manufacturers halted their recent decline in May while prices for vehicles from overseas manufactures continued on a declining trend.
Average prices for zero-emission vehicles rose sharply in mid-to-late 2024 before returning to previous averages in early 2025. The low overall number of zero emission vehicles sold in Nova Scotia (224 in May 2025) can lead to volatility in prices.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 20-10-0001-01 New motor vehicle sales
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